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JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Tennessee’s
Lake Sturgeon Project
By George Scholten, Fisheries Biologist
Since 2000, more than 50,000 lake sturgeon have been
stocked into the French Broad and Holston rivers
near Knoxville. Lake sturgeon were also stocked into
Cheatham Reservoir on the Cumberland River at
Nashville in 2006. These stocking efforts are part of a long-term
program designed to restore reproducing populations of this
primitive species to Tennessee waters. Ultimately, if the program
succeeds, TWRA will be able to allow a managed sport fishery for
the largest of Tennessee’s fish species, capable of reaching eight feet
in length, weighing 300 pounds, and living up to 150 years.
The TWRA monitors stocked lake sturgeon by sampling them
with multiple gear types including gillnets, electrofishing boats, and
trotlines. When lake sturgeon are recaptured, researchers measure
and weigh the fish, take a genetic sample, and then implant a small
chip (similar to those used by veterinarians in dogs and cats) so they
can identify the fish if it is later recaptured. Occasionally, larger
fish that have been implanted with a radio or sonic transmitter are
stocked. These transmitters give off a signal that can be detected
by special antennas and receivers. Researchers use boats and
airplanes equipped with this detection equipment to locate the fish.
By locating these fish repeatedly, researchers can determine things
like how fast, far, and often lake sturgeon move, which habitats lake
sturgeon use, and how many of the lake sturgeon pass downstream
through dams. This information helps TWRA maximize the
survival of future stockings of lake sturgeon.
Several of these movement studies found that lake sturgeon
travel long distances after being stocked, so it is very likely that
anglers could catch lake sturgeon in waters of the state other than
where they were stocked. The TWRA received one report from
an angler who caught a lake sturgeon below Nickajack Dam. This
fish had to pass downstream through 4 dams and travel nearly
250 miles from the stocking site to reach the area where the angler
caught and released it. Angler reports like this are important to
TWRA because they provide important movement and growth
information which helps TWRA monitor the success of Tennessee’s
lake sturgeon reintroduction program.
If you catch a lake sturgeon, please be as careful as possible not
to harm the fish - avoid holding lake sturgeon by their tails and
remember that fish cannot breathe while they are out of the water.
Lake sturgeon are endangered in Tennessee and should be released
immediately. If possible, note an approximate length before the
fish is released. Additionally, TWRA would appreciate a picture
of your lake sturgeon catch if you can take one without harming the
fish or delaying its release. In appreciation of your report, TWRA
will issue you a numbered Lake Sturgeon Certificate (below) that
features a color reproduction of a lake sturgeon drawn by renowned
wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri. If you catch a lake sturgeon
please call the toll free number for your regional office (see page 4
of this fishing guide) or the Fish Management Division at (615)
781-6575. You will be asked to provide your name, address, and
phone number and the following information about your catch:
when and where you caught it, an approximate length, and what
you were using for bait. F
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2008 Fishing Guide 17